The Counterfeit Traitor

The Counterfeit Traitor is a 1962 espionage thriller film starring William Holden, Hugh Griffith, and Lilli Palmer. Holden plays an American-born Swedish citizen who is forced to spy on the Nazis in World War II. It was based on a nonfiction book of the same name by Alexander Klein. The film was directed by George Seaton. Plot Erickson (Holden) is an American-born Swedish oil man who is pressured by Allied intelligence agents, led by a British agent (Griffith), to spy for the Allies. Erickson begins his job reluctantly, as it causes marital discord and forces him to pose as a Nazi. He agrees because otherwise his business would be destroyed by the Allies, but over time, realizes it is the right thing to do. Besides, Griffith recorded the meeting, He is influenced in making this moral decision by one of his contacts in Germany, a religious woman (Lilli Palmer) who gives him guidance on the meaning of life and right and wrong. Erickson has a number of close calls, but eventually escapes to Sweden in a harrowing sea voyage. Cast William Holden - Eric Erickson Lilli Palmer - Frau Marianne Möllendorf Hugh Griffith - Collins Carl Raddatz - Otto Holtz Ulf Palme - Max Gumpel Ernst Schröder - Baron Gerhard von Oldenburg Charles Régnier - Wilhelm Kortner Ingrid van Bergen - Hulda Windler Helo Gutschwager - Hans Holtz Wolfgang Preiss - Colonel Nordoff Werner Peters - Bruno Ulrich Erica Beer - Klara Holtz Stefan Schnabel - Gestapo agent at funeral Klaus Kinski - Kindler, Jewish Refugee Jochen Blume - Dr. Jacob Karp Erik Schumann - Nazi Gunboat Officer Dirk Hansen - Lieutenant Nagler Poul Reichhardt - Fishing Boat Skipper Ludwig Naybert - Stationmaster Louis Miehe-Renard - Poul Kai Holm - Gunnar Jens Østerholm - Lars Eva Dahlbeck - Ingrid Erickson